I Am New Here...

[kristianne75]

and I have to ask, does anyone just not care about food anymore? I honestly couldn't care less what I eat, it is simply something that I have to do to stop from starving. The foods that I enjoyed are all off limits, and so far the gluten-free breads and buns that I have tried have been awful.

I have only been gluten-free for a little under a year, and I feel so much better, have so much more energy and my quality of life is improved so much that there is no way I will break my resolve, however eating has simply become a pain in the butt. I hate having to figure it out, lunches stink (I am going to turn into a head of lettuce pretty quick)and I just don't care anymore. I eat only because I have to and there is no meal that I actually look forward to anymore. Something as simple as "running to grab something" is out of the question, and I just don't care.

Does anyone else out there eat only because you have to in order to stay alive? Or do I need a therapist? :-)

[Ahorsesoul]

My dh thinks food is just fuel. Not me, I've been gluten free for years and still a foodie. Make all my favorite foods gluten free with no problem.

[YoloGx]

and I have to ask, does anyone just not care about food anymore? I honestly couldn't care less what I eat, it is simply something that I have to do to stop from starving. The foods that I enjoyed are all off limits, and so far the gluten-free breads and buns that I have tried have been awful.

I have only been gluten-free for a little under a year, and I feel so much better, have so much more energy and my quality of life is improved so much that there is no way I will break my resolve, however eating has simply become a pain in the butt. I hate having to figure it out, lunches stink (I am going to turn into a head of lettuce pretty quick)and I just don't care anymore. I eat only because I have to and there is no meal that I actually look forward to anymore. Something as simple as "running to grab something" is out of the question, and I just don't care.

Does anyone else out there eat only because you have to in order to stay alive? Or do I need a therapist? :-)

Nothing crazy about this attitude at all though maybe other people you know might look askance?? Or not be up to your ability to be so self limiting? Food is I agree after all just food. Actually having a life at last is far more interesting than baking all day etc. etc. Is someone in your life complaining? If so, maybe moderate the one attitude with the other. Am having to learn to do a bit of that myself.

I have gone through long phases of not really caring what I eat either in the sense of doing without goodies I used to have. Nevertheless I do try to make what I eat at least tasty enough even if simple and often repetitive. I make a lot at once usually--often baking a chicken and then using the meat I either just heat up, cut up cold and put in salad, or rarely stir fry or make a casserole or make a big crock pot chicken soup. I use a faaair amount of rosemary and basil and would use ginger except my roomie can't handle it. Occasionally I have salmon. The other meats don't seem to agree with me that well. Similarly I bake a bunch of squash and/or brown rice. I avoid most breads since I don't do well with yeast products. I make a big bowl of it every other day or so and at night some kind of steamed vegetables. I often will have some fresh veggies I blend up with a little water for a pick me up. All interspersed with regular doses of my home made 24 hour yogurt sprinkled with stevia. All simple mind you. Stuff I can take anywhere quickly in my little insulated food bag if necessary.

Lately however I have started to incorporate home made teff/sorghum pancakes again (as well as rice, cornmeal and quinoa variations) with yogurt topping sprinkled with sunflower seeds and a little stevia. However you call it its still pretty plain--but tasty enough for me. I use coconut oil in the pan so the oil won't burn. Over the holidays I did figure out how to make a mean rice pie crust with pumpkin filling for those times of true craving and may once again get back to making stevia sweetened brownies. Unfortunately I seem to be still sensitive to fruit except for lemons.

Nevertheless overall I don't make a big fuss over cooking like I used to. And yes I was a pretty good cook! Its ironic I guess since now I have to make everything from scratch and not use sugar(s) as well as anything faintly smacking of gluten plus for the most part avoid eggs and cheese (they are a treat once a week).

I think this attitude is actually healthy. It certainly isn't victim or poor me thinking. Instead it looks at life and invites it in. There are so many more interesting and fun things than spending all one's time worrying about making delicacies. Though as said, also making some room for the occasional delicacy too is also probably a good thing, not only for you personally but also socially.

[missy'smom]

and I have to ask, does anyone just not care about food anymore? I honestly couldn't care less what I eat, it is simply something that I have to do to stop from starving. The foods that I enjoyed are all off limits.

I have only been gluten-free for a little under a year, and I feel so much better, have so much more energy and my quality of life is improved so much that there is no way I will break my resolve, however eating has simply become a pain in the butt. I hate having to figure it out. I just don't care anymore. I eat only because I have to and there is no meal that I actually look forward to anymore. Something as simple as "running to grab something" is out of the question.

Does anyone else out there eat only because you have to in order to stay alive? Or do I need a therapist? :-)

Due to multiple restrictions(not only foods but timing and portions as well) because of multiple problems I feel much the same way. There are many things that taste good but it's not the same kind of pleasure that it used to be. There's nothing wrong with that. I just have to learn to chanel my emotions in different ways, which is a process. I would rather have my health and be able to enjoy other things in my life than eat whatever my heart desires and feel like crap. I don't pine away at what I'm missing because that will never change anything. I will not ever be able to eat those things and not get sick. That's just reality. But I do feel much like you about the rest and lack of convenience plays into that alot. At least I can still enjoy a good glass of wine, cup of tea and dark chocolate(in moderation)! and try to just be in the moment and savor things like that when I can.

I wonder if part of what's going on with us is that we are feeling the one year mark. I have been gluten-free over three years and don't remember how I felt at one year in but I have been managing new restrictions for just about a year now due to a diabetes DX and I'm feeling a bit burnt out. There is a certain amount of mental and physical energy needed to sustain such an effort as we have made and at some point, at least I, feel a need for a break, a reprieve, a rest, just want to walk away, take a break and come back refreshed but dietary management is a necessary, daily thing for those of us with health issues. Plus we are just coming out of the holidays and that doesn't help. I think we need to make an extra effort to nurture and be good to ourselves in other ways. Lately, I'm trying to make sure I spend my precious time and money on things that I truly enjoy and not just on "fillers", I turn the TV, and the computer, off alot more and watch only the things that I really like, spend $ that I am normally tight with, on that book or magazine that I tend to deny myself but really enjoy.

[YoloGx]

Due to multiple restrictions(not only foods but timing and portions as well) because of multiple problems I feel much the same way. There are many things that taste good but it's not the same kind of pleasure that it used to be. There's nothing wrong with that. I just have to learn to chanel my emotions in different ways, which is a process. I would rather have my health and be able to enjoy other things in my life than eat whatever my heart desires and feel like crap. I don't pine away at what I'm missing because that will never change anything. I will not ever be able to eat those things and not get sick. That's just reality. But I do feel much like you about the rest and lack of convenience plays into that alot. At least I can still enjoy a good glass of wine, cup of tea and dark chocolate(in moderation)! and try to just be in the moment and savor things like that when I can.

I wonder if part of what's going on with us is that we are feeling the one year mark. I have been gluten-free over three years and don't remember how I felt at one year in but I have been managing new restrictions for just about a year now due to a diabetes DX and I'm feeling a bit burnt out. There is a certain amount of mental and physical energy needed to sustain such an effort as we have made and at some point, at least I, feel a need for a break, a reprieve, a rest, just want to walk away, take a break and come back refreshed but dietary management is a necessary, daily thing for those of us with health issues. Plus we are just coming out of the holidays and that doesn't help. I think we need to make an extra effort to nurture and be good to ourselves in other ways. Lately, I'm trying to make sure I spend my precious time and money on things that I truly enjoy and not just on "fillers", I turn the TV, and the computer, off alot more and watch only the things that I really like, spend $ that I am normally tight with, on that book or magazine that I tend to deny myself but really enjoy.

I totally agree--sometimes one just wants to flake out but can't really. That's why I make things in bulk so I won't have to really mess with making things from scratch all the time. Plus it helps that my room mate also has very similar dietary issues since he too has at least severe gluten intolerance. It isn't identical but its enough the same that we help each other. I think if I lived with other people I would hope they ate at least partly like me too and thus could occasionally chip in--otherwise I wouldn't share my food with them because it would seem like a real headache otherwise trying to keep up with everyone without help. If I lived by myself I would freeze things more.

Meanwhile for me other things like art and writing have taken on increased importance. I am also taking a hypnotherapy class--to help me as well as others. I think with this dis-ease its easy to think of oneself as a victim since we are the oddball out often socially. So whatever you can do to feel positive is really important. I like to remember and notice that I am a lot healthier than my siblings for instance and most people my age. I have more energy overall and no longer get ill easily--in sharp contrast to the past. While its true that celiac ignored can lead to some really bad effects (like cancer etc.), paying attention and doing what is necessary for it is very excellent for one's health. In fact its often posited that eating the way we do (i.e., off all gluten and sugar and most of the the bleached flours -- even the alternative ones -- and processed, pre packaged foods plus take supplements needed to make up for the damaged villi) it way ups the chance for most of us to live a longer healthier quality life than the average person.

[brendygirl]

It's natural to not want to eat--when you feel so good not eating and run a risk of getting sick or stressed about getting cc'd when you eat!

This is why anorexia can be a side effect of celiac. It feels good to go without food.

When I first got dx, I got very thin from not eating and I had to make a rule that I would eat fruit at 9PM if I hadn't eaten anything all day.

Eventually, I found "safe" food to eat on a routine basis and keep in my car and at work, so now I'm a normal weight.

Good luck to you.